Ice flaking machine



Dec. 29, 1970 c, MlTCHELL 31,550,392

ICE FLAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Clifford F. Mitchell Maw A TTORNE Y Dec. 29, 1970 c. F. MITCHELL 3,550,392

ICE FLAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Shed 2 I32 32 40 I06 //6 IO E INVENTOR. [lg Clifford F. Mi'rchell WM 7AM ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1970 c. F. MITCHELL ICE FLAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed. Oct. 11, 1968 EXCHANGER ACCUMU- 1 CONDENSER COIL COMPRESSOR LIQUID RECEIVER DRYER INVENTOR. Clifford F. Mitchell ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,550,392 ICE FLAKING MACHINE Clifford F. Mitchell, 115 Harvard Drive, Garland, Tex. 75040 Filed Oct. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 766,676 Int. Cl. F25c 1/14 US. Cl. 62320 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An ice flaking machine having a refrigerated freezing cylinder with opposed counterflow spiral conveyors mounted therein for continuously delivering ice to a storage container. Spaced pegs on the spiral conveyors and a triangular guide plate in the cylinder co-act to remove the ice from the conveyors and guide same into the storage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with commercial ice flaking machines.

Restaurants use large quantities of ice in serving ice water, soft drinks, iced tea and the like. Heretofore, ice making machines capable of furnishing a large volume of ice were very large and expensive to manufacture and maintain.

Particular difiiculty has been encountered in ice flaking machines, heretofore developed, in removing the ice from the freezing unit. Difficulty has also been experienced as a result of excessive wear because of high pressures exerted upon bearings and seals in the freezing unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have developed an ice making machine which delivers flaked ice in large quantities on a continuous basis.

Water is continuously injected into opposite ends of a freezing cylindrical chamber and as ice is formed it is removed from the wall of the chamber and moved by counterflow spiral conveyors to an opening centrally located in the freezing chamber. A cylindrical triangular guide plate, having spaced slots therein, is disposed adjacent to an opening in the freezing chamber through which ice is dispensed. Spaced pegs on the shaft on which the conveyors are mounted engage the ice and deliver same to the plate. The plate scrapes the ice from. the conveyor shaft and the pegs pass through the slots in the plate and deposits the ice in a suitable storage container.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an ice flaking machine capable of making and delivering ice in large quantities wherein no pressures are exerted upon bearings in which the conveyor in the freezing chamber is mounted as ice is moved through the freezing chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice flaking machine wherein there is no pressure exerted upon bearings and 0 rings in the freezing chamber to prevent leakage and contamination of the ice.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice flaking machine having counterflow spiral conveyors for moving ice through the freezing chamber wherein there is no thrust exerted upon the conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice flaking machine of simple, durable construction which requires a minimum amount of maintenance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ice making machine having a specially formed guide plate adapted to cause the machine to automatically guide a continuous ribbon of ice having uniform consistency out of the freezing chamber.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification herein- 3,550,392 Patented Dec. 29, 1970 after following, and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The enclosed drawings of two suitable embodiments of the present invention are provided so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of the ice flaking machine;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view;

FIG. III is an elevational view of one end thereof;

FIG. IV is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along lines IV-IV of FIG. I, illustrating details of construction of the freezing chamber and the counterflow conveyor;

FIG. V is a transverse cross sectional view taken along lines VV of FIG. IV;

FIG. VI is an enlarged perspective view of the stopper plate detached from the freezing cylinder;

FIG. VII is an enlarged cross sectional View taken along lines VIIVII of FIG. I illustrating the details of construction of the water injection apparatus;

FIG. VIII is a diagrammatic view of the refrigeration circuit; and

FIG. IX is an enlarged side elevational view with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate details of construction of a second embodiment of the freezing chamber.

Numeral references are employed to designate the various parts shown in the drawings and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Numeral 1 generally designates a frame having a top 2, legs 3, transverse braces 4, longitudinal braces 5 and diagonal braces 6, upon which the components of the ice flaking device are mounted.

The freezing chamber 8 is connected through lines 10a and 10b to a source of water or other fluid 124 which is to be frozen to form ice, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Fluid passes through lines 10a and 10b through freezing chamber 8, and ice formed in the freezing chamber is guided through opening 12 in the wall thereof to be deposited in a suitable receptacle.

Freezing chamber 8 is preferably a cylindrical tube 18 constructed of material having a high co-efficient of thermal conductivity, allowing heat to be readily transferred through the walls thereof.

Referring to FIG. IV of the drawing, each end of cylinder 18 is sealed by bearing caps 20 which are rigidly connected thereto by set screws 22. Suitable means is provided, such as rubber gaskets, to prevent leakage between the ends of cylinder 18 and caps 20. As will be hereinafter more fully explained, there is no pressure exerted upon caps 20 as a result of balancing forces on the counterflow conveyor 31 which feed inwardly toward opening 12, centrally located therein.

Mounting brackets 24 are secured to the top 2 of the frame by bolts 26 and extend upwardly therefrom. Each cap 20 is anchored in one of the brackets 24. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawing, brackets 24 consist of split blocks 24a and 24b which are connected together by bolts 28.

Each cap 20 has a bore 30 extending longitudinally therethrough and has a shaft 32 rotatably journaled therein. O ring seals 34 are disposed in spaced apart relation along the length of each bore 30 to prevent leakage between the inner surface of the cap 30 and shaft 32.

Bearings 36 are mounted in recessed areas in caps 20 to provide a rotatable support for opposite ends of shaft 32.

Shaft 32 has spiral vanes 40 secured thereon, forming an opposed counterflow spiral conveyor 31 for removing and feeding ice toward opening 12 which extends through a central portion of the wall of cylinder 18. It should be noted that as shaft 32 rotates the spiral conveyor on the right end of said shaft removes and feeds the ice to the left while the spiral conveyor on the left end of the shaft removes and feeds the ice to the right. It should be readily apparent that, assuming the opposed conveyors are moving equal quantities of ice, that the axial forces exerted upon shaft 32 by the ice in each section of the conveyor is equal to the force exerted by the ice in the other section whereby the resultant thrust exerted upon shaft 32 as a result of moving the ice is Zero. This minimizes wear on 'bearings 36 which support conveyor 31.

While vanes 40 on conveyor 31 are illustrated in the drawing as being symmetrical, I anticipate the use of a spiral conveyor having opposed vanes formed on opposite ends thereof which are not arranged symmetrically. For example, the end 40a of the vanes 40 one one end of the conveyor 31 may be positioned ninety degrees around shaft 32 relative to the end 40b of the vanes on the other end of the conveyor to give a jogging action to the ice as it is guided toward opening 12.

Pegs 42 extend radially outwardly from the surface of shaft 32 to engage the lower surface of the ribbon of ice as it is conveyed to the center of shaft 32. Pegs 42 engage and cause the ice to rotate with shaft 32 after the ice has been moved adjacent to opening 12.

As best illustrated in FIGS. V and VI, a guide or stopper plate 45 is connected by screws 46 to a central portion of the inner surface of cylinder 18 adjacent the lower edge of opening 12 and extends radially inward having a curved inner side of slightly greater radius than shaft 32 so that it almost contacts the outer surface of shaft 32. Guide plate 45 may be formed by cutting an isosceles triangle 451 with a rectangular upper portion 451: from a pipe or tube having a wall thickness slightly less than the difference of the distances between the inside diameter of cylinder 18 and the outside diameter of shaft 32.

Curved slots 48 and 49 are formed in the inner surface 451 of the semicylindrical plate 45 and extend circumferentially therearound. Slots 48 and 49 are positioned to receive pegs 42 as shaft 32 rotates, the pegs moving toward the upper surface 45a of the plate. Referring to FIG. V, it should be readily apparent that movement of the ice longitudinally of cylinder 18 is diverted to a circular path as the ice engages sides 45b, 45d, 45c and 45a and that as the ice is guided toward pegs 42 it will be moved about cylinder 18 in a clockwise direction by the pegs until pegs 42 enter slots 48 and 49, causing the ice to be disengaged from pegs 42 and to be guided and forced through opening 12.

Suitable power means is provided for rotating shaft 32. Referring to FIG. III, the power means illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention includes an electric motor 50 which may be connected through cord 52 to a source of electricity. Motor 50 has a drive shaft 54 which has a pulley 56 rigidly connected thereto in driving relation with V-belt 58, and pulley 60 rigidly connected to input shaft 62 of gearbox 64. Gearbox 64 has an output shaft 66 and a bevel gear 68 is rigidly connected to the upper end thereof. Bevel gear 70, rigidly connected to the outer end of shaft 32, is mounted in meshing relation with bevel gear 68 to operably connect shaft 32 to the motor 50 or other source of power. It should be readily appreciated that power transmitted from motor 50 through shaft 54, pulley 56, belt 58, pulley 60, shaft 62, gearbox 64, shaft 66, gear 68, gear 70 and shaft 32, causes vanes 40 thereon to rotate to move ice through cylinder 18. There is only slight clearance between vanes 40 and the inner edges of cylinder 18 whereby vanes 40 will shave ice from the inner edges of the cylinder as shaft 32 rotates.

A thrust bearing 72 is mounted in a suitable bracket 74, rigidly connected by bolts 76 to the top of frame 1, and has one end of shaft 32 rotatably journaled therein. The function of thrust bearing 72 is to hold bevel gear 70 in driving relation with bevel gear 68 and to overcome the end thrust exerted by the gears.

Suitable heat exchange means is provided for cooling cylinder 18 to cause water circulated therethrough to freeze, forming ice therein. Referring to FIG. VIII, a compressor 80 is connected through line 82 to condenser 84. Motor 86 rotates fan 'blade 88 to force air across the coil in the condenser in conventional manner to cool the refrigerant circulating therethrough. The opposite end of the condenser coils are connected through line 90 and dryer 91 to liquid receiver 92. Liquid refrigerant from compressor 80 passes through line 94, heat exchanger 96, and line 98 to expansion valve 100, which has a conventional thermostat control 102. Expansion valve 100 is connected through line 104 to cooling coils 106 which are wrapped around the outer surface of a segment of cylinder 18. After passing through coils 106 refrigerant passes through crossover line 108 to cooling coils 110 which are Wrapped around the outer surface of another segment of cylinder 18 on the other end thereof. Refrigerant from coils 110 passes through line 112, heat exchanger 96, and line 113 to compressor 80 completing the refrigeration cycle.

Fan motor 86 and compressor 80 are connected through cords 114 and 116 respectively to a source of electricity.

Other refrigeration processes may be employed for reducing the temperature of freezing chamber 8 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. I and VII of the drawing, lines 10a and 10b are connected through suitable couplings 118 to a lower portion of cylinder 18 adjacent opposite ends thereof. The opposite ends of line 10a and 10b are connected through suitable couplings 120 to the inside of container 122 containing liquid 124. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawing a float valve 126, having an adjustable float 128 therein, is connected to Water line 130 which is in turn connected to any suitable source of water or other fluid which may be frozen into ice. Level of water 124 in container 122 is adjustably maintained at-a constant level by valve 126. Water 124 flows through lines 10a and 10b to opposite ends of cylinder 18 and flows thereinto by force of gravity. The level of fluid in container 122 is substantially equal to the level of the lower edge 12:: of opening 12 in cylinder 18. It should be readily appreciated that float 128 is a means for adjustably regulating the level of fluid in cylinder of the freezing chamber 8.

As water 124 flows out of container 112 through lines 10a and 10b, an equal quantity is replaced through line 130.

Referring to FIGS. I and IV of the drawing, it should be noted that a sleeve 132 is positioned around cylinder 18 adjacent the opening 12 which extends therethrough. The function of sleeve 132 is to increase the temperature in freezing chamber 8 adjacent the point at which ice is deposited to prevent excessive freezing and solidification of the ice at such point. Cover 12b, adjacent opening 12, channelizes the ribbon of ice as it moves therethrough.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. IX of the drawing. The second embodiment is identical in every respect to the first embodiment heretofore described except that refrigerant chambers 106 and 110 are used in lieu of evaporator coils 106 and 110'.

In the second embodiment of the invention, line 104 which receives refrigerant from expansion valve 100 is connected to chamber 106 which extends around a segment of cylinder 18 to reduce the temperature thereof. A second refrigerant chamber 110' extends around the opposite end of cylinder 118 and is connected through line 112 to heat exchanger 96. Refrigerant chambers 106' and 110' are connected through a crossover line 108' to allow refrigerant to circulate therethrough. Each refrigerant chamber 106 and 110 is a tubular member, with cylinder 18 extending therethrough, and the space at each end of each chamber is sealed by closure members 107 to prevent leakage.

OPERATION The operation and function of the device hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings is as follows:

Water flows by force of gravity from container 122 through lines a and 10b to opposite ends of cylinder 18. It will be noted that water enters a lower portion of said cylinder to eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the cylinder. Float 128 in container 122 maintains the water in freezing chamber 8 at a level slightly below the edge 12a of opening 12 in cylinder 18.

Power is transmitted from motor 50 to rotate shaft 32 as has been hereinbefore described. Rotation of shaft 32 causes ice to be shaved from the inner walls of cylinder 18 as it forms and to be conveyed slowly through the water in cylinder 18 by the vanes 40 on the counterflow conveyor. Ice is formed in cylinder 18 as the result of heat being absorbed by evaporator coils 106 and 110 or chambers 106' and 110'. As the vanes 40 rotate a ribbon of flakes of ice is formed and moved toward opening 12 in the center of cylinder 18. The ribbon of ice engages surfaces 45b, 45c and 45d, 45e on guide plate 45 and is engaged by pegs 42 on shaft 32. This causes the ribbon of ice to rotate with shaft 32 and to pass through opening 12 to be deposited in a suitable container (not shown) as pegs 42 enter slots 48 and 49 in guide plate 45.

Shaft 32 rotates continuously at a slow speed and ice is continuously formed and ejected through opening 12.

Fluids other than water 124 may be placed in container 122 and frozen such as fruit juices and the like. Flavoring and coloring may be added to water 124 if so desired.

The speed of rotation of shaft 32 or the temperature of refrigerant through cooling coils 106 and 110 may be regulated to control the hardness of the ice.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that I have developed an ice making machine which will produce ice on a continuous basis in large quantities which is very simple and economical to construct. Guide plate 45 in conjunction with pegs 42 guide and engage the ribbon of ice to prevent clogging around the opening 112 in cylinder 18 which would result in damage to components of the ice making machine.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine for forming ice, a tubular freezing chamber having an opening through a central portion of the wall thereof; means for injecting fluid at substantially atmospheric pressure into the freezing chamber; refrigeration means arranged in heat exchange relation with the chamber for reducing the temperature of the chamber to a temperature below the freezing point of the fluid injected thereinto; means in heat exchange relation with the chamber adjacent the opening to maintain the temperature of an intermediate segment of the chamber at a temperature higher than the end segments of the chamber to prevent excessive ice freezing at the opening; a spiral conveyor extending through the freezing chamber, said conveyor having opposed spiral vanes thereon on opposite sides of the opening, said vanes being rotatably engageable with the wall of the chamber to remove ice therefrom and convey same toward the opening; means for rotating the conveyor relative to the freezing chamber; and interengaging means secured to the conveyor and to the inside of the chamber adjacent the opening to disengage the ice from the conveyor and move same through the opening.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for injecting fluid includes means for maintaining a constant level of fluid in the freezing chamber.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for reducing the temperature of the chamber includes cooling coils extending about spaced portion of the chamber; and the opening in the wall of chamber through which ice is deposited is between the spaced portions.

4. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for reducing the temperature of the chamber includes refrigerant chambers extending about spaced portions of the freezing chamber, and the opening in the wall of the chamber through which ice is deposited is between the spaced refrigerant chambers.

5. In a machine for freezing fluid, a tubular freezing chamber comprising spaced end portions and a central portion, the central portion having an opening through the wall thereof; means for injecting fluid into the freezing chamber; means in heat exchange relation with the end portions of the freezing chambers to freeze fluid in the chambers; means in heat exchange relation with the central portion of the freezing chamber to cause the central portion to remain at a temperature higher than the temperature of the end portions; a conveyor extending through the freezing chamber arranged to remove ice from the freezing chamber and to move frozen fluid from the spaced end portions toward the opening in the central portion; and means adjacent the opening in the central portion to direct frozen fluid through the opening.

6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the means to direct frozen fluid through the opening comprises, a curved member secured to the inside of the central portion of the freezing chamber adjacent the opening; converging surfaces on the curved member; a substantially straight edge on the curved member positioned adjacent the opening in the central portion of the freezing chamber.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of a protrusion on the conveyor arranged to engage frozen fluid; and an indentation on the curved member to receive the protrusion on the conveyor.

8. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the central portion of the freezing chamber has a coefiicient of thermal conductivity different from that of the end portions to increase the temperature of the freezing chamber to prevent excessive freezing and solidification of the fluid adjacent the opening.

9. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the conveyor includes a shaft extending through the chamber; means for rotatably mounting opposite ends of the shaft in opposite ends of the chamber; and opposed spiral vanes mounted on opposite ends of the shaft arranged to remove and feed ice toward the opening.

10. The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the means for rotatably mounting opposite ends of the shaft in opposite ends of the chamber includes seal members around the ends of the shaft.

11. In a machine for forming ice, a tubular freezing chamber having an opening through the wall thereof intermediate the ends thereof; a sleeve of conductive material around the freezing chamber adjacent the opening for increasing the temperature in the chamber, the opening extending through the wall of the sleeve; means for injecting fluid into the chamber; cooling coils extending about spaced portions of the chamber for reducing the temperature of the chamber to a temperature below the freezing point of the fluid injected thereinto, the opening in the wall of the chamber through which ice is deposited being between the spaced portions of the chambers; a spiral conveyor extending through the freezing chamber, said conveyor having opposed spiral vanes thereon on opposite sides of the opening, said vanes being rotatably engageable with the wall of the chamber to remove ice therefrom and convey same toward the opening; means for rotating the conveyor relative to the freezing chamber; and interengaging means secured to the conveyor and to the inside of the chamber adjacent the opening to disengage the ice from the conveyor and move same through the opening.

12. In a machine for forming ice, a tubular freezing chamber having an opening through the wall thereof intermediate the ends thereof; means for injecting fluid into the freezing chamber; refrigeration means arranged about the chamber for reducing the temperature of the chamber to a temperature below the freezing point of the fluid injected thereinto; a shaft extending through the freezing chamber; opposed spiral vanes mounted on opposite ends of the shaft rotatably engageable with the wall of the chamber arranged to remove and feed ice toward the opening; means for rotating the shaft relative to the freezing chamber; at least one lug extending outwardly from the surface of a central portion of the shaft between the opposed spiral vanes; and a semi-cylindrical guide plate connected to the inner side of the chamber and having a straight edge adjacent the opening and having a slot therein for receiving the lug as it rotates to guide the ice through the opening in the chamber.

13. The combination called for in claim 12 wherein the guide plate includes converging edges on the sides opposite the opening to guide ice toward the opening.

14. In a guide member for diverting frozen fluid in a freezing chamber from a substantially linear path to a circular path and for disengaging frozen fluid from a protuberance on a shaft, the guide member comprising, a semi-cylindrical plate; converging surfaces formed on one side thereof; a straight edge opposite the converging surfaces; spaced sides extending between the converging surfaces and the straight edge of the plate; and at least one groove in the inner surface of the plate between the converging surfaces and the straight edge of the plate; and means to secure the curved member in a freezing chamber.

15. In a machine for freezing fluid, a freezing chamber having an opening formed therein; means at each end of the chamber connectable to a source of fluid; refrigeration means for cooling spaced segments of the chamber to freeze liquid on opposite sides of the opening; a shaft rotatably secured in the chamber; means on the shaft to move frozen fluid toward the opening; a protrusion on the shaft adjacent the opening in the chamber; means to rotate the shaft; indented guide means in the chamber adjacent the opening to disengage frozen fluid from the protrusion on the shaft and direct the frozen fluid toward the opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,112,622 12/1963 Bollefer 62320 3,283,529 11/1966 Nelson 62320 3,326,014 6/1967 Fiedler 62354X 2,686,335 8/1954 Gross 18-12 WILLIAM E. WAYNER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

